The Wall #7
The Wall is Kunstpunt Groningen’s research programme, offering artists the opportunity to experiment with art in public space. The venue – featuring a triangular floor and a striking white wall measuring 9 metres high and over 15 metres wide – is placed entirely at their disposal.
In the seventh edition of The Wall, artist Jens Buis takes on this challenge. From 15 September to 25 October, Jens will be working on his research at Kunstpunt. Visitors are welcome to follow the process from Wednesday to Saturday between 12:00 and 17:00. Questions? Feel free to ask Jens directly!
Jens Buis’ Research Plan
In 2024, Jens presented an impressive graduation project at Academie Minerva. He created a lenticular artwork that changes perspective as the viewer moves, resulting in a dynamic interaction – perfectly suited to art in public space. Jens aims to further develop his practice towards installation art and spatial experience.
His research for The Wall #7 builds on his thesis about peak or sublime experiences – moments he regards as core memories. Last summer, he explored this theme during an adventurous voyage aboard the sailing cargo ship Tres Hombres. This intense experience serves as the inspiration for a new spatial installation in which Jens translates his encounters into form, combining physical materials with digital media. Artist Arjen Boerstra will act as his coach throughout the process.
Art Talk
At the conclusion of The Wall #7, Kunstpunt will host an Art Talk in which Jens’ work will be discussed from an art-historical perspective.
About Jens Buis
Jens Buis (Groningen, 1998) can be described as a ‘filmographic painter’. He cuts existing video footage into a series of stills, which he then assembles into a single image using a special lenticular technique. As viewers move around the piece, the work literally comes to life. This dynamic interaction is enhanced by a combination of mystical forms, alluring colours and organic movements. Themes such as time, connection, presence and synchronicity form the conceptual basis of his work.
Buis is unafraid of aesthetics; on the contrary, he poetically searches for the sublime. Alongside his artistic practice, he founded the art platform 2ndFloor in 2021 (an initiative aimed at making art more accessible and fostering connections between art and society) and co-founded the artist collective De Tegel in 2023.
The Wall: Work in Progress
In the Netherlands, monumental art is no longer part of formal art education. The Wall responds to this by offering a platform where artists can research and develop their ideas in a large, monumental space. Twice a year, one artist is selected to carry out a research plan, guided by a coach of their choice.
Previous Editions of The Wall
- The Wall #1 – Greek artist Christos Mavrodis created a stunning charcoal drawing on the wall.
- The Wall #2 – Artist Marnix Sixma explored the vast surface by using a pencil to create a ‘snail trail’ of words.
- The Wall #3 – Artist Alexandra Subota presented a dystopian scene in an unexpectedly cheerful manner using polyurethane foam and various fabrics.
- The Wall #4 – Artist Beth Wong transformed her original idea of a mural into a spatial installation that extended from floor to ceiling.
- The Wall #5 – Graphic designer Jop Luberti created a visually striking mural using risoprints. After the project, he repurposed the prints into calendars.
- The Wall #6 – Artist David Sciarone explored how to make an analogue translation of a digital urban world.